Condition changing device

ABSTRACT

A condition change unit of the present invention changes operating conditions of a device. The condition change unit comprises a display section for displaying images, a touch panel provided on the display section, a detection section for detecting input operations to the touch panel, a change condition setting section for setting types of change conditions, based on form of the input operations detected by the detection section, an operation guide image display section for displaying guidance images, for setting specific parameters of the change conditions, on the display section, in accordance with the type of change condition that has been set, and a parameter change section for changing parameters of the change condition based on an input operation to a screen on which the operation guidance operation images are displayed that has been detected by the detection section.

Benefit is claimed, under 35 U.S.C. §119, to the filing date of priorJapanese Patent Application No. 2009-170702 filed on Jul. 22, 2009. Thisapplication is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The scope ofthe present invention is not limited to any requirements of the specificembodiments described in the application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a condition changing device, and indetail relates to a condition changing device that has a touch panel asa display section, and is capable of inputting operating conditionsaccording to operating states of this touch panel.

2. Description of the Related Art

Precision and transparency of touch panels have improved, and in recentyears touch panels have been used in small portable devices such asdigital cameras, music players and mobile phones. These mobile devicesare becoming increasingly multifunctional, with a need for variouscondition settings on a touch panel, and since they are mobile devices,there is also a need for usability.

Japanese patent application number 4178484 (laid-open Oct. 19, 1999) isan example of a touch panel used in a digital camera. In this relatedart, there is provided a digital camera in which, in a playback statewhere a grip section of the camera is not being held, an image isdisplayed on the entire screen of a rear display section having a touchpanel, while in a shooting state where the grip section is being held akey icon is displayed at a bottom part of the screen.

Also, the operating mode of a touch panel is generally such thatrespective items are displayed at specified places on the screen, and ifa desired item is touched conditions for that item are executed, or anew screen corresponding to that item is switched to. However, touchpanels have recently been developed that detect rotation upon the touchpanel to enable operations like jog dial, and that can detect touchingof multiple locations at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has as its object to provide a condition changingdevice that performs changing of conditions by changing the form of aninput operation when performing condition changing with input from atouch panel.

A condition changing device of the present invention comprises: adisplay section for displaying images, a touch panel provided on thedisplay section, a detection section for detecting input operations tothe touch panel, a change condition setting section for setting a typeof a condition to be changed based on a form of the input operation, anoperation image display section for displaying an operation guide imagefor setting of a specific parameter of the change condition, and aparameter change section for changing a parameter of the changecondition based on an input operation to the screen on which theoperation guide image is displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a digital camera of afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are cross-sectional drawings showing the structureof a touch panel, in the digital camera of the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are drawings showing appearance of carrying outexposure correction by touching a screen, in the digital camera of thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are drawings showing appearance of carrying outzooming by touching the screen, in the digital camera of the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are drawings showing appearance of carrying outchange of aperture value or shutter speed by touching the screen, in thedigital camera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing camera control operations of the digitalcamera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operation of change condition setting forthe digital camera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is flowchart showing operation of exposure correction changesetting for the digital camera of the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing operation of zoom change setting for thedigital camera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operation of aperture/SS change settingfor the digital camera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operation of change condition setting fora digital camera of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing appearance of inputting conditions byrotating the screen, with the digital camera of the thirds embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing operation of change condition setting ina digital camera of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C are drawings showing appearance of changing inputconditions by touching the screen with both fingers, with a digitalcamera of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing appearance of changing the diameter of aring in correspondence with a spacing between fingers when the screenhas been touched with both hands, in the digital camera of the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing operation of change condition setting inthe digital camera of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows appearance of holding a camera with interchangeable lensesof a fifth embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 17A showing astate where an EVF is not provided on the camera body, and FIG. 17Bshowing a state where an EVF is provided on an upper part of the camerabody.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the structure of the digital camerawith interchangeable lenses of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 shows a live view screen on which an operation guide image isoverlaid on a screen displayed on a rear display section of the digitalcamera with interchangeable lenses of the fifth embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D are drawings showing a screen of an EVF displaysection of the digital camera with interchangeable lenses of the fifthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing for condition change settingof the digital camera with interchangeable lenses of the fifthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments using a digital camera to which the presentinvention has been applied will be described in the following inaccordance with the drawings. A digital camera of a preferred embodimentof the present invention has an imaging section 20. A subject image isconverted to image data by this imaging section 20, and the subjectimage is subjected to live view display on a display section 16 arrangedon the rear surface of the camera body based on this converted imagedata. A photographer determines composition and photo opportunity bylooking at the live view display. At the time of release, it is possibleto put image data of a still picture into a storage medium. It is alsopossible to set conditions such as exposure correction, zoom, shutterspeed and aperture value by touching the screen of the live viewdisplay.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a digital camera of afirst embodiment of the present invention. A control section (CPU:Central Processing Unit) 11 executes a control program stored in aprogram/data storage section 12, and performs overall control of thedigital camera. A touch detection section 11 a, change condition settingsection 11 b, operation image display section 11 c, parameter changesection 11 d and parameter control section 11 e are provided in thecontrol section 11. The sections 11 a to 11 e within the control section11 are part of the processing executed by the control program, and sowill be described as functional sections contained within the controlsection 11.

The touch detection section 11 a detects input operations to a touchpanel 13. The touch detection section 11 a is capable of detectingsingle finger touch, two finger touch and two finger rotation as typesof mode of input operation, from position and time of a touch operationon the screen, and is also capable of detecting the position and lengthof these touches. In this specification touching means bringing a fingeretc, into direct contact with or bringing a finger close to the screenof the touch panel 13, and moving the finger or the like by rotating orsliding etc. in a state where the finger is in contact with or close tothe screen.

The change condition setting section 11 b sets types of conditions to bechanged based on a form of input detected by the touch detection section11 a. With the digital camera of this embodiment, exposure correction,zooming, aperture value, shutter speed (SS) etc. can be configured bychanging a mode of input operation for the touch panel 13.

The operation image display section 11 c displays operation guide imagesfor setting specific parameters of change conditions on the screen ofthe display section 16, according to a type of the change condition thathas been set by the change condition setting section 11 b. As describedpreviously, with this embodiment, for any of exposure correction,zooming, or aperture value and shutter speed, setting is possible forspecific parameters (for example exposure correction amount, zoom up orzoom down, and aperture value and shutter speed) by operating the touchpanel 13.

In this case, if there is nothing to give any indication, setting ofthese parameters is difficult for a user. With this embodimenttherefore, operation guide images are displayed so as to enable the userto perform parameter setting easily. The operation image display section11 c reads out specified operation guide images from the program/datastorage section 12 according to a change condition, outputs to a displaycontrol section 15, and carries out display of the operation guideimages by having the display control section 15 carry out displaycontrol.

The parameter change section 11 d receives output from the changecondition setting section 11 b, and prepares control parametersaccording to the type of condition that has been set by the changecondition setting section 11 b. As a result of the user touching theoperation guide images on the screen of the display section 16 under theset change condition, the touch detection section 11 a detects positionand length of the user input operation at that time. The parameterchange section lid is input with the state of this input operation fromthe touch detection section 11 a, and specifically changes parameterdata that corresponds to the set change condition.

The parameter control section 11 e controls parameters of variousshooting conditions and playback conditions based on user instruction.Here, user instruction means setting using a menu screen (not shown),direct setting from the operation section 14, and touch input to thetouch panel 13. With touch input from the touch panel 13, the parametercontrol section 11 e receives parameter change values notified from theparameter change section 11 d, and changes specific conditions of theimaging section 20 and the image processing section 21.

For example, taking the imaging section 20, control is carried out so asto perform setting changes for focus position, zoom value, aperturediameter (aperture value), shutter speed, exposure correction etc. Forthe image processing section 21 on the other hand, control is carriedout to perform setting changes for contrast, white balance, ISO speedetc. In this specification, the case of changing zoom value, aperturevalue, shutter speed and exposure correction will be described in detaillater, but it is possible to carry out the same control for otherparameter change values as well.

As described above, the program/data storage section 12 stores programsfor causing operation of the control section 11, and image data forcausing display of selected operation guide images by the operationimage display section 11 c. As well as these programs and data, variousother data are stored, such as programs for camera control and icons fordisplay on the screen, image data for menu screens, as well as temporarystorage of image data acquired by the imaging section 20, and adjustmentvalues for camera control.

A display control section 15 displays live view display at the time ofshooting, playback images at the time of playback, or menu images. Thedisplay control section 15 also carries out image processing etc. tosuperimpose icons on live view images in accordance with instructions.The display control section 15 also performs superimposing processing tosuperimpose operation guide images read out from the program/datastorage section 12 on the live view image, in accordance withinstruction by the operation image display section 11 c. The displaysection 16 has a display such as a liquid crystal monitor or organic ELarranged on a rear surface of the body, and display control is carriedout by the display control section 15.

The touch panel 13 in integral with the display section 16, and isarranged on the front surface of the display section 16. The touch panel13 detects a finger etc. of the user coming into direct contact orcoming close, and outputs detection results to the touch detectionsection 11 a. As the touch panel, there are various systems, such asresistive film, capacitive, photoelectric sensor, etc., and it ispossible to adopt any system. A touch panel adopting the photoelectricsensor system will be described later using FIG. 2.

The operation section 14 has various operating buttons such as a buttonoperating section, a release button, a power switch, a playback button,and a mode switching button, an operation dial and operation keys, andis an operation member for a user to set modes and parameters etc.

The control section 11 is connected to a bus 26, and the imaging section20, image processing section 21, compression and expansion section 22,storage and playback section 23, and communication section 25 areconnected to this bus 26. The imaging section 20 includes an imaginglens for forming a subject image, an image sensor for converting thesubject image to image data, and as processing circuits for these, aswell as an aperture and a shutter provided in the optical path of theimaging lens. Image data generated by the imaging section 20 is outputto the bus 26.

The image processing section 21 performs various image processing suchas digital amplification of digital image data (digital gain adjustmentprocessing), color correction, gamma (γ) correction, contrastcorrection, image generation for live view display, movie imagegeneration etc. The compression and expansion section 22 is a circuitfor compressing image data of still pictures and movies temporarilystored in the program/data storage section 12 using a compression schemesuch as JPEG or TIFF, and expanding such data for display etc. Imagecompression is not limited to JPEG and TIFF, and it is also possible toapply other compression methods.

The storage and playback section 23 stores image data, that has beencompressed in the compression and expansion section 22, in the imagestorage section 24, and also reads out image data of taken images thathas been stored in the image storage section 24, expands this data inthe compression and expansion section 22, and performs playback displayof this expanded image data. The image storage section 24 is storagemedium for data that can be built into the digital camera body, or canbe loaded into the camera. The communication section 25 transmits andreceives image data to and from external devices.

Next, the structure of a photoelectric sensor type touch panel 13integrated with the display section 16 will be described using FIG. 2Aand FIG. 2B. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are cross sectional schematic diagramsof the touch panel 13 and display section 16, for the case where auser's finger is close to the touch panel 13, and a case where theuser's finger is in direct contact with the touch panel 13,respectively. As shown in FIG. 2A, this touch panel has optical sensors104 arranged two dimensionally at specified intervals inside a liquidcrystal section 100, and a backlight 102 is provided on a rear surfaceof the liquid crystal section 100.

In the event that irradiated light 106 a from the backlight 102 is notreflected by the user's finger 90, then it simply diverges to theoutside. In the event that the user' s finger 90 is slightly apart fromor close to the touch panel 13, then the irradiated light 106 a isreflected by the user's finger 90, as shown in FIG. 2A, and some of thatreflected light is detected by the optical sensors 104.

Further, if the user's finger 90 is brought close to the touch panel 13,then as shown in FIG. 2B irradiated light 106 a from the backlight 102is reflected by the finger 90, and reflected light 106 b from the finger90 is detected by the optical sensors 104. The detection result from theoptical sensors 104 is sent to the touch detection section 11 a, and itis possible to detect a touched position of the finger from which of theoptical sensors 104 have detected reflected light from the finger 90,and detect movement of the finger based on change over time of thetouched position.

Next, a method of changing shooting conditions, such as exposurecorrection and zooming, by changing operational modes to the touch panel13, will be described using FIG. 3A to FIG. 5B. In this embodiment,changing of exposure correction is carried out by touching the rightside of the screen 50 with one hand, changing of focal length (zooming)is carried out by touching both sides of the screen 50 with both handsand performing a rotation operation, and changing of aperture or shutterspeed is carried out by touching both sides of the screen 50 with bothhands and performing a slide operation.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show the case where a user holding the digitalcamera in one hand changes correction amount for exposure correction.Specifically, the camera is set in shooting mode, and a live view imageis being displayed on the screen 50 of the display section 16. The liveview image at this time is of a person 52 a positioned in the center ofa room, with outside scenery 52 b spreading across the background. Inthis state, the person 52 a who is in the middle is dark, and will beunder exposed, while the background 52 b will be properly exposed.

Generally, there will be many situations where exposure correction iscarried out so as to give correct exposure for the person 52 apositioned in the middle. Therefore, if the user touches the right sideof the with one hand, an exposure bar 60 in a double arrow shape isdisplayed vertically on the right side of the screen 50, as shown inFIG. 3A. In this embodiment, as a result of a touch operation to theright side of the screen, it is predetermined that exposure correctionwill be set as the corresponding change condition.

If a touch to the right position is detected by the operation imagedisplay section 11 c that is input with a detection signal from thetouch panel 13, the change condition setting section 11 b sets the typeof the change condition type to “exposure”. If “exposure” is set by thechange condition setting section 11 b, the operation image displaysection 11 c instructs display of the exposure correction bar 60 as anoperation guide image for assisting with the user's exposure correctionoperation, and image data for the compensation correction bar 60 is readout from the program/data storage section 12.

This read out image data for the exposure correction bar 60 is sent tothe display control section 15, and the exposure correction bar 60 issuperimposed on the live view image. Also, exposure correction, withinthe shooting condition items, is set as the change condition by theparameter change section 11 d. With this embodiment, the exposurecorrection bar 60 is displayed in accordance with a touched position onthe screen 50, but this is not limiting, and it is also possible todisplay the exposure correction bar 60 at a fixed position regardless ofwhere the screen is touched.

As shown in FIG. 3A, if the exposure correction bar 60 is displayedsuperimposed on the live view image, the user can slide their fingeralong the exposure correction bar 60 in the direction in which they wantto carry out exposure correction. The touch detection section 11 adetects the direction of this slide operation, and this detection resultis notified to the parameter change section 11 d. The parameter changesection 11 d changes the exposure correction value in the positivedirection when the direction of the slide operation is upwards, andchanges the exposure correction value in the negative direction when thedirection of the slide operation is downwards. In order to display thedirection of exposure correction on the exposure correction bar 60 in away that is easy to understand, it is also possible to display “+” and“−”.

The parameter control section 11 e receiving the change notificationfrom the parameter change section 11 d corrects brightness gain of theimaging section 20. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the live viewimage the person 52 a in the middle of the screen becomes brighter, andis displayed clearly. On the other hand, the background 52 b at theedges of the screen becomes over exposed, and is slightly blown out.There is also no problem in carrying out exposure correction by changingaperture value and shutter speed of the imaging section 20.

With this embodiment, conditions relating to the imaging section 20 havebeen changed by the parameter control section 11 e, but depending on thetype of change condition set it is also possible to change conditions ofthe imaging section 20. Also, the exposure control value is determinedby the number of times a slide is performed, or by slide position. Ifthe exposure correction value is determined using number of slides, thenin the case of one upward slide, for example, it is made brighter by+0.5 of a step, and in the case of 3 upward slides made brighter by +1.5steps. If the value is determined by slide position, for example, thehighest position is made +2 steps.

Next, the case of a user who is holding the digital camera in both handschanging the focal length (zooming) will be described using FIG. 4A andFIG. 4B. If the fact that left and right sides of the screen 50 arebeing touched with two hands, and that a rotation operation has beencarried out using both fingers, is detected by the touch detectionsection 11 a, the change condition setting section 11 b sets zooming asthe type of change condition.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation image display section 11 cdisplays a graphic (object), that is a ring 61, on an ellipse, such asleft and right touch positions made into an ellipse, as an operationguide image on the screen 50. Even if the left and right of the screen50 is touched, in the case where only one of the left or right fingershas moved it is determined to be aperture/SS setting, which will bedescribed later, and setting for zooming is not carried out. That is, ina state where both fingers are placed on the screen 50, since there aretwo options depending on the subsequent finger movement, an operationguide image is not displayed.

If the user performs a rotation operation by touching both fingers alongthe ring 62, as the operation guide image, the touch detection section11 a detects the rotational direction of the rotation operation, and thedetected rotational direction is notified to the parameter changesection 11 d. If the rotational direction is clockwise, the parameterchange section 11 d notifies an instruction to increase the zoomparameter to the parameter control section 11 e. On the other hand, ifthe rotational direction is counterclockwise an instruction to lower thezoom parameter is notified to the parameter control section 11 e.

If the parameter control section 11 e receives an instruction toincrease the zoom parameter, a zoom lens of the imaging section 20 isturned in the direction to zoom up (long focus side), and the focallength of the optical system of the imaging section 20 is changed to thelong focus side. Once the optical system has been zoomed up, the subjectis enlarged and displayed as shown in FIG. 4B. On the other hand, if aninstruction to reduce the zoom parameter is received, the zoom lens ofthe imaging section 20 is turned in a direction to zoom down (shortfocus side), and the focal length of the optical system of the imagingsection 20 is changed to the short focus side.

Here, the amount of zooming up or zooming down is set according to anangle of rotation detected by the touch detection section 11 a. Forexample, it is possible to change the focal length such that in the caseof rotation of +90 degrees it is set to two times, and in the case of−90 degree rotation it is ½. As display of the ring 60, it is possiblenot only to display with the ring kept stationary, as described above,but to display a bright point on the ellipse corresponding to the fingerposition, and to carry out display such that this bright point rotateson an elliptical orbit in accordance with rotation of the finger. Inthis case, in a state where the focal length of the zoom lens hasreached a long focal length end or a short focal length end, it ispossible to notify that rotation of the finger has become invalid bystopping movement of the bright spot.

Also, as a modification of the zoom processing, it is also possible toperforming trimming processing of a partial image in a specified rangefrom the overall image using an electronic zoom processing sectioninside the image processing section 21, in accordance with aninstruction of the parameter control section 11 e. Specifically, aphotographic zoom condition change can be any one of a change in focallength of a photographic lens, or an electronic zoom being on or off(magnification ratio change), or a combination of these.

With this embodiment, a ring shaped image has been adopted as theoperation guide image for a zooming operation, but this is for thefollowing reasons. With a single lens reflex camera, conventionally azoom operation has often been executed by a rotation operation of a zoomring of an interchangeable lens, and so it is easy to associate thezooming operation with the ring shaped operation guide image. In thisway, with this camera there is an association between zooming and thering, and so it is possible to improve discrimination by using an imageof a ring shape in the operation guide image for zoom value change.

Next, the case of a user who is holding the digital camera in both handschanging aperture value or shutter speed (SS) will be described usingFIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. If the left and right of the screen 50 beingtouched by both hands, and a slide operation being carried out by onlyone of the left or right fingers, is detected by the touch detectionsection 11 a, the change condition setting section 11 b sets aperture/SS(shutter speed) in the type of condition change.

With an aperture/SS condition change, the aperture value is adjusted byan aperture actuator that varies an opening radius of a mechanicalaperture housed inside the imaging section 20. Also, shutter speed iscontrolled, in the case where there is a mechanical shutter inside theimaging section 20, by the timing of a drive actuator of the mechanicalshutter, while in the case where there is not a mechanical shutterinside the imaging section 20 shutter speed of an electronic shutter ofa CCD or CMOS image sensor is controlled.

If aperture/SS has been set by the change condition setting section 11b, the operation image display section 11 c displays a TV icon 62 a atthe upper left side of the screen 50, or an AV icon 62 b at the lowerleft of the screen 50, as the operation guide image. The TV icon 62 adisplaying TV is an icon for change of shutter speed, and the AV icon 62b displaying AV is an icon for changing aperture value. Conditions ofwhichever icon is touched are selected.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5A, a slide bar 62 c is displayed on the rightside of the screen 50 by the operation image display section 11 c. Thisslide bar 62 c is a vertically elongated arrow shape, and is anoperation guide image for changing a parameter of whichever of apertureor SS is selected. In this embodiment, the TV icon 62 a, AV icon 62 band slide bar 62 c are displayed at touched positions. However, this isnot limiting and it goes without saying that it is also possible todisplay these icons at set positions to the left and right.

As shown in FIG. 5B, if the user touching the AV icon 62 b with a fingerof the left hand is detected by the touch detection section 11 a andthis is notified to the parameter change section 11 d, the parameterchange section 11 d sets aperture change as the change condition. Next,if the touch detection section 11 a detects that the user has performeda slide operation along the slide bar 62 c to the upper side with afinger of the right hand, and this is notified to the parameter changesection 11 d, the parameter change section 11 d sets F2.8, for example,as the aperture value. This set aperture value is displayed on anaperture/SS display section within the screen 50. The aperture value setin the parameter change section 11 d is notified to the parametercontrol section 11 e, and the aperture of the imaging section 20 ischanged to F2.8 in accordance with instruction by the parameter controlsection 11 e.

In this way it is possible in this embodiment to change the type ofcondition that will be changed according to differences in the manner ofoperation to the touch panel 13. Therefore, even with a touch panel of asmall screen selection of condition type to be changed is made easy, andit is particularly effective for a touch panel of a mobile phone. It ispossible to resolve the annoyance of selecting items on a menu of asmall display section, such as exists in the related art.

Next operation of the digital camera of the first embodiment will bedescribed using the flowcharts shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 10. FIG. 6 showsflow of camera control. If a power supply battery is loaded into thisdigital camera, the processing flow of this camera control commences,and first of all it is determined whether or not the power supply is on(S11). In this step the operational state of a power switch within theoperation section 14 is detected, and it is determined whether or notthis power switch is on.

If the result of determination in step S11 is that the power supply isnot on, that is, that the power supply is off, a standby state isentered (S12). This standby state is a low power consumption mode, andis a state in which only the state of particular operations switches,such as the power supply switch, is detected, and other control issuspended. If the standby state is escaped from, processing returns tostep S11.

If the result of determination in step S11 is that the power switch ison, it is next determined whether or not the camera is in shooting mode(S13). Shooting mode is a mode where a subject image is observed,composition is decided, and it is possible to store a taken image bypressing the release button. If the result of this determination is thatthe camera is in shooting mode, then display of a live view image iscarried out (S21). Here, the subject image is subjected to live viewdisplay on the display section 16 based on image data acquired by theimaging section 20.

If display of a live view image is carried out, setting of changeconditions is next carried out (S22). In this step, as described usingFIG. 3A to FIG. 5B, setting of change in various shooting conditionssuch as exposure correction or zooming is carried out by the usertouching the screen 50, or performing a rotation operation or a slideoperation using touch. Detailed processing flow for this changecondition setting will be described later using FIG. 7.

Once change condition setting has been carried out, it is nextdetermined whether or not there has been a shooting command (S23). Inthis step it is determined whether or not the release button, within theoperation section 14, has been operated. If the result of thisdetermination is that there is not a shooting command, processingreturns to step S11. On the other hand, if there is a shooting commandshooting and storage processing are carried out (S24). Here, image dataacquired by the imaging section 20 is subjected to image processing bythe image processing section 21, and further, after being compressed bythe compression and expansion section 22, is stored in the image storagesection 24 by the storage and playback section 23.

Once shooting and storage processing have been carried out, it is nextdetermined whether or not there is a power supply off operation (S25).Here, it is determined whether or not the power switch has been turnedoff. If the result of this determination is that the power switch hasnot been turned off, processing returns to step S11. On the other hand,if the power supply has been turned off power off processing is carriedout and an end state is entered.

If the result of determination in step S13 is not shooting mode, it isnext determined whether or not the camera is in playback mode (S14).Here, determination is made based on the operational state of theplayback button within the operation section 14. If the result of thisdetermination is that the camera is in playback mode, playback of animage is carried out (S16). Image playback is the reading out of a takenimage stored in the image storage section 24, and, after expansion inthe compression and expansion section 22, display on the display section16.

Once image playback has been carried out, it is next determined whetheror not there is an image change command (S17). In the event that theuser wishes to change an image to be appreciated, change of an image isinstructed using an operation member of the operation section 14, and soin this step it is determined whether or not this operation member hasbeen operated. If the result of this determination is that there is noimage change instruction, processing advances to previously describedstep S25. On the other hand, if there is an image change instruction, animage change is carried out in accordance with this instruction (S18).Here, the instructed image is displayed on the display section 16.

If the result of determination in step S14 is that the camera is not inplayback mode, image communication is carried out (S15). Here, imagedata for a taken image stored in the image storage section 24 istransmitted to an external device such as a personal computer via thecommunication section 25, and image data is received from an externaldevice. Once image communication is completed processing advances tostep S25.

Next, operation of operation of the change condition setting in step S22will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. If the changecondition setting operation is entered, it is first determined whetheror not touching was at one place on the right (S31). Here, a searchresult from the touch panel 13 is input by the touch detection section11 a, and it is determined whether or not one place on the right of thescreen 50 of the display section 16 is being touched. If the screen hasbeen touch at one place on the left and right respectively, NO isdetermined here.

If the result of determination in step S31 is that the screen has beentouched at one place on the right, exposure correction change setting isnext carried out (S32). Here, change in an exposure correction amount isset in response to a user's input operation, as was described using FIG.3A and FIG. 3B. A subroutine for this exposure correction change settingwill be described later using FIG. 8. Once exposure correction changesetting has been executed, processing returns to the originating flow.

If the result of determination in step S31 is that the screen has notbeen touched at one place on the right, it is next determined whether ornot it has been touched at one place each on the left and the right(S33). Here, a search result from the touch panel 13 is input by thetouch detection section 11 a, and it is determined whether or not oneplace on the right and one place on the left of the screen 50 of thedisplay section 16 are being touched. If the result of thisdetermination is that the screen is not being touched at one place onthe left and one place on the right, processing returns to theoriginating flow.

If the result of determination in step S33 is that the screen 50 isbeing touch at one place on both the left and right, it is thendetermined whether or not there is a rotation operation at the left andright (S34). If the result of determination in step S33 is Yes, then itis a state where the user is holding the digital camera in both hands,and in this step S34 whether or not the screen 50 has been touched so asto give respective rotation operations with a finger of both hands isfurther determined by the touch detection section 11 a.

If the result of determination in step S34 is that there has been arotation operation at the left and right, zoom change setting is carriedout (S35). Here, change to the setting of focal length, namely zooming,is carried out in response to the user's rotation operation state, asdescribed using FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. A subroutine for this zoom changesetting will be described later using FIG. 9. Once zoom change settinghas been executed, processing returns to the originating flow.

If the result of determination in step S34 is that there was no rotationoperation at the left and right, it is next determined whether or notthere was a slide operation at either the left or right (S36). If theresult of determination in step S33 is Yes, it is a state where the useris holding the digital camera with both hands, and since the result ofdetermination in step S34 was that there were no rotation operations bythe fingers of both hands, in this step whether or not there is a slideoperation on the screen 50 with either the left or right finger isdetermined by the touch detection section 11 a.

If the result of determination in step S36 is that there was no slideoperation at either the left or right, processing returns to theoriginating flow. On the other hand, if the result of determination isthat there has been a slide operation at either the left or right,aperture/SS change setting is next carried out (S37). Here, as describedusing FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, for aperture or shutter speed selected by thefinger of the right hand of the user, change of setting for an aperturevalue or shutter speed is carried out in response to the slide operationstate of the finger of the right hand. A subroutine for this aperture/SSchange setting will be described later using FIG. 10. Once aperture/SSchange setting has been executed, processing returns to the originatingflow.

Next, the subroutine for the exposure correction change setting of stepS32 (refer to FIG. 7) will be described using the flowchart shown inFIG. 8. If the processing flow for exposure correction change setting isentered, exposure correction is first set in change condition (S41).Here, exposure correction is set as the change condition by the changecondition setting section 11 b.

Next, an exposure correction bar is displayed at a touch position, as anoperation guide image (S42). As shown in FIG. 3A, the operation imagedisplay section 11 c displays the exposure correction bar 60 on thescreen 50 at a position touched by the user. It is then determinedwhether or not a slide operation has been detected close to the bar(S43). Here, it is detected by the touch detection section 11 a whetheror not the user's finger is touching in a vertical direction in thevicinity of the exposure correction bar 60.

If the result of determination in step S43 is that a slide operation wasnot detected, step S41 is returned to. On the other hand, if a slideoperation was detected, a parameter for exposure correction is thenchanged in response to the slide amount (S44). Here, the exposurecorrection amount is changed by the parameter change section 11 d inresponse to the slide amount detected by the touch detection section 11a.

Once the exposure correction parameter has been changed, brightness gainof the imaging section 20 is changed by the parameter control section 11e (S45). Once the exposure correction amount has been changed, theperson 52 a shown in FIG. 3A will become brighter, as shown in FIG. 3B,and is displayed clearly. On the other hand, the background 52 b at theedges of the screen becomes over exposed, and is slightly blown out. Aswell as changing the gain of the imaging section 20, it is alsopossible, as described previously, to change the aperture value orshutter speed of the imaging section 20. Once the gain has been changed,original processing flow is returned to.

Next the zoom change setting subroutine of step S35 (refer to FIG. 7)will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. If the processingflow for zoom correction change setting is entered, zoom correction isfirst set as a change condition (S51). Here, zoom is set as the changecondition by the change condition setting section 11 b.

Next, a ring is displayed at a touch position, as an operation guideimage (S52). As shown in FIG. 4A, the operation image display section 11c displays the ring 61, which forms an ellipse from two positions thathave been touched by fingers of both hands of the user, on the screen50. Next it is determined whether or not rotation is clockwise (S53).Here, at the circumference of the ellipse of the ring 61, it is detectedby the touch detection section 11 a whether or not the user's finger istouching in a clockwise direction along the ellipse.

If the result of determination in step S53 is that rotation isclockwise, the parameter change section 11 d then carries out a changeto increase the zoom parameter (S54). On the other hand, if the rotationis not clockwise, that is, it is counterclockwise, the parameter changesection 11 d carries out a change to decrease the zoom parameter (S55).

Once the zoom parameter change has been carried out in step S54 or stepS55, the focal length of the imaging section 20 is changed (S56). Here,the focal length of the optical system of the imaging section 20 ischanged by the parameter control section 11 e in the direction ofzooming up or zooming down that was set by the parameter change section11 d. The zoom up amount or zoom down amount at this time is set inresponse to the rotational angle detected by the touch detection section11 a, as described previously. Once the focal length of the imagingsection has been changed, original processing flow is returned to.

Next the aperture/SS change setting subroutine of step S37 (refer toFIG. 7) will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 10. If theprocessing flow for aperture/SS change setting is entered, aperture/SSis first set in the change condition (S61). Here, aperture and shutterspeed are set as the change conditions by the change condition settingsection 11 b.

Next, AV and TV icons are displayed at left and right touch positions,as operation guide images (S62). As shown in FIG. 5A, the operationimage display section 11 c displays the TV icon 62 a and the AV icon 62b at touch positions of the left side on the screen 50, and displays theslide bar 62 c at a touch position on the right side. Next, it isdetermined whether or not AV selection has been carried out (63). Here,it is detected by the touch detection section 11 a whether or not anarea close to the AV icon 62 b has been touched.

If the result of determination in step S63 is that there has been AVselection, the change condition setting section 11 b sets aperture asthe change condition (S64). On the other hand, if the result ofdetermination is that there has not been AV selection, namely that theTV icon 62 a has been selected, the change condition setting section 11b sets SS (shutter speed) as the change condition (S65).

Once the change condition has been set in step S64 or step S65, it isnext determined whether or not a slide motion (right slide motion) atthe right side of the screen has been detected (S66). Here, the touchdetection section 11 a determines if the user's finger is not touchingthe screen 50 along the slide bar 62 c. If the result of thisdetermination is that a right slide motion has not been detected, theoriginating processing flow is returned to.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S66 is that aright slide motion has been detected, a parameter is changed in responseto the slide amount (S67). Here, the parameter change section 11 dchanges the aperture value or the shutter speed (SS) in response to theslide amount detected by the touch detection section 11 a. The changedparameter is then displayed (S68). Here, as described previously, bydisplaying on the aperture/SS display section 62 d (refer to FIG. 5B),the user can recognize that changed aperture value and shutter speed.

Next, specified parameters of the imaging section are changed (S69).Here, the parameter control section 11 e carries out change ofparameters (control values) for the aperture or shutter speed.Conditions of the imaging section 20 are then changed (S70). Here theaperture or shutter speed value of the imaging section 20 is replacedwith the changed value, and at the time of shutter release control iscarried out in accordance with the changed value. Once the imagingsection conditions have been changed, original processing flow isreturned to.

In the first embodiment of the present invention as described above, itis possible to easily set whether any conditions, such as exposurecorrection or zoom value for example, are to be changed in response to astate of touching on the panel 13. The screen does therefore not becomeconfusing even with a touch panel of a small screen.

Also with this embodiment, operation guide images are displayed inaccordance with the changed condition. It is therefore possible for auser to easily carry out setting of parameters in line with theoperation guide images.

With this embodiment, at the time of carrying out zoom change setting,this setting is carried out when the screen 50 is being touched at oneplace on each of the left and right sides, and a rotation operation iscarried out simultaneously at the left and right. However, there is noproblem in having a configuration where even if a rotation operation isnot carried out simultaneously at the left and right, zoom changesetting is carried out if there is a rotation operation at either side,as long as the screen is being touched at one place on each of the leftand right sides. In this case, it is possible to determine “Has therebeen a rotation operation at either the left or right?” in step 34(refer to FIG. 7). It is also possible to perform zoom change settingeven in the event that there is a rotation operation with the screenbeing touched at one place on either the left or the right. Also,although an ellipse corresponding to a horizontally long screen has beendescribed as an operation guide image, it is not limited to an ellipseand can be a circle.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be describedusing FIG. 11. With the first embodiment, even if respective fingers ofboth hands were placed on the screen 50, whether it is zoom oraperture/SS was not decided until an operation is carried out the nexttime. With the second embodiment however, which of zoom or aperture/SSit is can be differentiated by the initial nature of the touch. Thestructure of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment,and apart from the point that the change condition setting flowchartsshow in FIG. 7 is changed to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, theflowcharts are also the same as the first embodiment. Here descriptionwill concentrate on points of difference.

If the processing flow for change condition setting shown in FIG. 11 isentered, it is first determined whether or not touching is at one placeon the right (S71). Here, similarly to step S31 it is determined by thetouch detection section 11 a whether or not one place on the right ofthe screen 50 is being touched. If the result of this determination isthat the touching is at one place on the right, then similarly to S32exposure correction change setting is carried out (S72). This processingflow for exposure correction change is the same as the processing flowof the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8, and so description thereof isomitted. Once exposure correction change setting has been executed,processing returns to the originating flow.

If the result of determination in step S71 is that the screen has notbeen touched at one place on the right, it is next determined whether ornot the touching is at one place on the left (S73). Here, it isdetermined by the touch detection section 11 a whether or not one placeon the left of the screen 50 is being touched. If the result of thisdetermination is that one place on the left is being touched, next,similarly to step S37, aperture/SS change setting is carried out (S74).This processing flow for aperture/SS change is the same as theprocessing flow of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and sodescription thereof is omitted. Once aperture/SS change setting has beenexecuted, processing returns to the originating flow.

If the result of determination in step S73 is that the screen has notbeen touched at one place on the left, it is next determined whether ornot the screen has been touched at one place on each of the left andright sides, similarly to step S33 (S75). Here, it is determined by thetouch detection section 11 a whether the screen is being touched at oneplace on both the left and right sides at the same time. If the resultof this determination is that the screen is not being touched at oneplace on the left and one place on the right, processing returns to theoriginating flow. On the other hand, if the result of determination isthat the screen is being touched at one place on the left and one placeon the right, then similarly to step S35 zoom change setting is carriedout (S76). This processing flow for zoom change is the same as theprocessing flow of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and sodescription thereof is omitted. Once zoom change setting has beenexecuted, processing returns to the originating flow.

As described above, with the second embodiment of the present inventionchange of zoom or aperture/SS can be discriminated by the initial mannerof touching. Specifically, in the case where there was touching at oneplace on the left instep S73, aperture/SS change setting is immediatelyexecuted, and in the case where there is no touching at one place on theleft zoom change setting is executed after it has been confirmed thatone place on the left and one place on the right are being touched atthe same time. It is therefore possible to rapidly transition to thenext operation.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be describedusing FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B and FIG. 13. In the first embodiment, a singlering 61 was used to set zoom in the change condition. In the thirdembodiment rings of differing diameter are displayed as operation guideimages, and it is possible to change respectively different conditions.The structure of the third embodiment is the same as the firstembodiment, and apart from the point that the change condition settingflowchart shown in FIG. 7 is changed to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13,the flowcharts are also the same as the first embodiment. Heredescription will concentrate on points of difference.

Before giving a description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, themanner of changing parameters using an example of ring display of thisexample will be described using FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B. FIG. 12A showsthe appearance when graphics (objects) of an outer ring 63 a and aninner ring 63 b are displayed on the screen 50 by the operation imagedisplay section 11 c, and a finger of each hand of the user is touchingthe screen so as to respectively rotate along the outer ring 63 a.

At this time, in the case where fingers 90 a shown by dotted lines areplaced on the left and right of the screen 50, and moved in thedirection p, which is a clockwise direction, along the outer ring 63 a,in other words, when moving towards the positions of the fingers 90 bshown by solid lines, and when the tips of left and right fingers are atthe end of the screen (left and right both within the range X1), thechange conditions is set to zoom change by the change condition settingsection 11 b. The above described range X1 can be a numerical value ofabout ⅙th of the overall screen width, but it can also be appropriatelychanged in accordance with aspect ratio of the screen etc.

The touch detection section 11 a detects the amount of rotation at thistime, and control is exerted such that a change is performed to increasethe zoom parameter by the parameter change section 11 d depending on theangle of this rotation operation, and the focal length of the imagingsection 20 is moved to the long focal length by the parameter controlsection 11 e. Also, if the finger 90 a is moved so as to rotate in acounter clockwise direction along the outer ring 63 a while touching, achange is performed to increase the zoom parameter depending on theangle of the rotation operation at this time. Control is then exerted tomove the focal length of the imaging section 20 to a short focal lengthusing the parameter control section 11 e.

FIG. 12B shows the appearance when a finger of each hand is placed onthe inner ring 63 b of the screen 50, touching so as to respectivelyrotate along the inner ring 63 b. If the positions where the left andright fingers are initially placed are respectively further in than thepreviously mentioned X1 and the fact that a rotation operation hasstarted is detected, the change condition is set to a change operationfor focus position by the change condition setting section 11 b.

In the case where the touch detection section 11 a detects rotationdirection and rotation amount at this time, and this rotation directionis a clockwise direction (direction p in the drawing), a focus parameteris set to close range by the parameter change section 11 d, and changedto a specified close range value depending on the angle of the rotationoperation. Also, in the case where the rotation direction is counterclockwise (direction opposite top in the drawing), the focus parameteris set to long-distance by the parameter change section 11 d, andchanged to a specified long-distance value depending on the angle of therotation operation.

The parameter control section 11 e carries out movement of a focus lensof the imaging section 20 to a close range side or a long-distance sidein accordance with either close range and a close range value, orlong-distance and a long distance value, set by the parameter changesection 11 d.

Next, operation of change condition setting in this embodiment will bedescribed using the flowchart shown in FIG. 13. In the change conditionsetting in this embodiment, steps S31 to S34, S36 and S37 are the sameas those in the processing flow for change condition setting shown inFIG. 7 for the first embodiment, and so steps that carryout the sameprocessing will be assigned the same step numbers, and detaileddescription thereof is omitted.

The change condition setting shown in FIG. 13 is entered, and in stepS34 it is determined whether or not a rotation operation has beenperformed at the left and right, and in the event that a rotationoperation has been performed at the left and right zoom/focus is nextset in the change condition (S81). Specifically, if the screen 50 beingtouched on the left and right at the same time is detected by the touchdetection section 11 a, zoom/focus is set in the change condition by thechange condition setting section 11 b.

Next, a double ring is displayed as an operation guide image (S82).Here, an outer ring 63 a and an inner ring 63 b are displayed on thescreen 50 of the display section 16 by the operation image displaysection 11 c. Next, it is determined whether or not the initial touchposition is the outer ring (S83). Here, the initial touch position isdetected by the touch detection section 11 a, and it is determinedwhether or not this position is within the ranged XI in FIG. 12A. If thetouch position is within the range X1, it is determined as being theouter ring.

If the result of determination in step S83 is that the initial touchposition is the outer ring, zoom is set in the change condition, by thechange condition setting section 11 b (S84). It is then determinedwhether or not the rotation is clockwise (S85). Here, determination iscarried out based on the detection result by the touch detection section11 a. If the result of detection is that the rotation direction isclockwise, change is performed by the parameter change section 11 d sothat the focal length becomes long (S86). On the other hand, if theresult of determination in step S85 is that the rotation is notclockwise, that is, that the rotation is counter clockwise, change iscarried out by the parameter change section 11 d so that the focallength becomes short (S87).

Once change in focal length has been carried out in step S86 or S87, thefocal length of the imaging section 20 is changed (S88). Here, the zoomlens of the imaging section 20 is moved to the close range side or thelong-distance side by the parameter control section 11 e, in accordancewith the change result by the parameter change section 11 d. Once changein the focal length of the imaging section has been performed, originalprocessing flow is returned to.

If the result of determination in step S83 is that the initial touchposition is not the outer ring, that is, that the touch position is theinner ring, focus is set in the change condition, by the changecondition setting section 11 b (S91). It is then determined whether ornot the rotation is clockwise (S92). Here, determination is carried outbased on the detection result by the touch detection section 11 a.

If the result of determination in step S92 is that rotation isclockwise, the parameter change section 11 d then changes focus in theclose-range direction (S93). On the other hand, if the result ofdetermination in step S92 is that the rotation is not clockwise, namelythat the rotation is counter clockwise, focus is changed in the infinitydirection (long-distance direction) by the parameter change section 11 d(S94).

Once the change in direction of focus has been carried out in step S93or step S94, focus of the imaging section 20 is then changed (S95).Here, the focus lens of the imaging section 20 is moved to the closerange side or the long-distance side by the parameter control section 11e, in accordance with the change result by the parameter change section11 d. Once change in the focus of the imaging section has beenperformed, original processing flow is returned to.

As has been described above, with the third embodiment of the presentinvention, since there are two rings, it is possible to selectivelychange two types of parameter with a rotation operation of differingradius.

With this embodiment, even if a finger is placed either slightlyoff-center or at the side of the screen 50, the two rings, being theouter ring 63 a and the inner ring 63 b, are always displayed, but it isalso possible to display only one of the rings depending on the positionwhere a finger is placed.

Also, there are two rings with this embodiment, but this is not limitingand it is also possible to have three or more rings. In the case ofthree rings, it is possible to selectively change even more conditions.

Next a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be describedusing FIG. 14A to FIG. 16. In the third embodiment, a plurality of ringswere displayed in concentric circles as operation guide images. Withthis fourth embodiment the centers of a plurality of rings are arrangedoffset. The structure of the second embodiment is the same as the firstembodiment, and apart from the point that the change condition settingflowchart show in FIG. 7 is changed to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16,the flowcharts are also the same as the first embodiment. Descriptionwill therefore concentrate on points of difference.

Before giving a description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, themanner of changing parameters using an example of ring display of thisembodiment will be described using FIG. 14A and FIG. 14C. FIG. 14A is adrawing showing appearance of setting zoom as a change condition, whenfingers of both hands are respectively touching the upper right part ofthe screen 50 at the same time. Specifically, if touching with bothfingers at the same time at the upper right (first quadrant) of thescreen 50 is detected by the touch detection section 11 a, zoom is setas the type of change condition by the change condition setting section11 b.

Using the operation image display section 11 c, a graphic (object) for acircle 64 a passing through two touch positions is then displayed on thescreen 50. Also “zoom” is displayed in the center 64 ac of the circle 64a, as a change condition name. Similarly to the other embodiments, ifboth the user's fingers are moved along the circle 64 a while touching,the focal length is changed. Here, If this rotation operation directionis clockwise, zoom up is carried out, and conversely if the rotationoperation direction is counter clockwise zoom down is carried out.

FIG. 14B is a drawing showing appearance of setting focus as a changecondition, after the bottom right of the screen 50 has been touched byboth fingers of both hands at the same time. Specifically, if touchingwith both fingers at the same time at the lower right (fourth quadrant)of the screen 50 is detected by the touch detection section 11 a, focusis set as the type of change condition by the change condition settingsection 11 b.

Using the operation image display section 11 c, a graphic (object) for acircle 64 b passing through the two touch positions is then displayed onthe screen 50. “focus” is also displayed in the center 64 bc of thecircle 64 a, as a name of the change condition. If both the user'sfingers are moved along the circle 64 b while touching, focus ischanged. Here, if this rotation operation direction is clockwise, focusbecomes close range, and conversely if the rotation operation directionis counter clockwise focus becomes long-distance.

FIG. 14C shows an example of a screen on which both the zoom circle 64 aand the focus circle 64 b are displayed. After the graphic (object) forthe zoom circle 64 a has been displayed in FIG. 14A, if a specified time(for example 1 second) elapses with nothing happening the circle 64 a isdeleted, but if the position of the two fingers is moved downwardswithin the specified time and a rotation operation carried out again,the focus circle 64 b is displayed overlaid in addition to the zoomcircle 64 a. There is no problem if the two circles intersect.

The order of selecting zoom and focus can obviously be reversed, and itis also possible for the number of circles to be displayed to be threeor more. For example, it is possible to divide the entire screen 50 intofour, to give four regions of upper right (first quadrant), upper left(second quadrant), lower left (third quadrant) and lower right (fourthquadrant), and display respectively independent circles as operationguide images. The processing flow shown in FIG. 16, which will bedescribed later, is an example to display these four circles.

Next, a method of calculating radius and center position of a circlethat is displayed from the position of both fingers that have touchedthe screen 50 will be described using FIG. 15. In FIG. 14, the changecondition setting section 11 b sets a type of position change conditionthat has been touched, and the method of setting the circles at thistime will be described.

Coordinates of the approximate center of a position 91 a that has beentouched by the right finger, detected by the touch detection section 11a, are made (x1, y1), and coordinates of the approximate center of aposition 91 b touched by the left finger are made (x2, y2). At this timethe touch detection section 11 a calculates the radius R of the circleand coordinates (x3, y3) of the center 91 c of the circle based onequations (1) to (3) below.

R=(((x1−x2)²+(y1−y2)²)^(0.5))/2   (1)

x3=(x1+x2)/2   (2)

y3=(y1+y2)/2   (3)

Next, operation for change condition setting of this embodiment will bedescribed using the flowchart shown in FIG. 16. If the processing flowfor change condition setting is entered, ring display is first carriedout at the position touched by both hands (S101). Here, circle radiusand center position are obtained using the previously describedequations (1) to (3), based on positions where fingers of both handstouched that were detected by the touch detection section 11 a, and thering is displayed as an operation guide image.

It is then determined whether or not the center is in the first quadrant(S102). Here, it is determined whether or not it is included in thefirst quadrant based on the center position of the circle calculated instep S101. If the result of this determination is that the center is inthe first quadrant, it is then determined whether or not the diameter isgreater than half of the screen width (S103). Here, determination iscarried out based on the radius of the circle calculated in step S101.In this embodiment the determination value is made half the screen widthbecause the screen is divided into 4, but this is not limiting, and canbe appropriately changed as a design value.

If the result of determination in step S103 is that the diameter isgreater than half the screen width, one notch of zoom change is set to asmall value (S104). On the other hand if the result of determination isthat the diameter is not greater than half the screen width, on notch ofzoom change is set to a large value (S105). One pitch of change in stepS104 and S105 is relative, and it is possible to set one pitch of changein step S105 to be larger than one pitch of change in step S104. Here,for example, with focal length of the imaging section 20 currently setto 10 times zoom of 10 mm-100 mm, if there is a zoom change of 10 mm/90degree rotation with a small change pitch and a zoom change of 30 mm/90degree rotation with a large change pitch, then in the case of wantingto make a large change, radius of the circle can be made small so as tomake change pitch large, while in the case of wanting to make a finechange radius of the circle can be made large so as to make change pitchsmall.

Once one pitch of zoom change has been set in step S104 or S105, zoomprocessing is carried out (S106). Here, the parameter control section 11e changes focal length of the zoom lens of the imaging section 20 usingthe one pitch of zoom change set in step S104 or S105. Once zoomprocessing has been carried out, the originating processing flow isreturned to.

If the result of determination in step S102 is that the center is not inthe first quadrant, it is then determined whether or not the center isin the second quadrant (S107). Here, it is determined whether or not thecenter is contained in the second quadrant based on the center positionof the circle calculated in step S101. If the result of thisdetermination is that the center is in the second quadrant, SS changeprocessing is next carried out (S108). Here, processing is carried outto change shutter speed. Shutter speed is changed to the high speed sideor to the low speed side depending on the direction of a rotationoperation for the displayed ring. Once SS change processing has beencarried out, the originating processing flow is returned to.

If the result of determination in step S107 is that the center is not inthe second quadrant, it is then determined whether or not the center isin the third quadrant (S109). Here, it is determined whether or not thecenter is contained in the third quadrant based on the center positionof the circle calculated in step S101. If the result of thisdetermination is that the center is in the third quadrant, aperturechange processing is next carried out (S110). Here processing is carriedout to change aperture value. Aperture value is changed towards the wideopen side or towards the stopped down side, according to the directionof a rotation operation on the displayed ring. Once aperture changeprocessing has been carried out, the originating processing flow isreturned to.

If the result of determination in step S109 is that the center is not inthe third quadrant, then it means that the center is in the fourthquadrant and so next focus processing is carried out (S111). Here,processing to change focus is carried out. Focus is changed towards theclose range side or towards the long distance side according to thedirection of a rotation operation on the displayed ring. Once focusprocessing has been carried out the originating processing flow isreturned to.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as described above,it is possible to display a plurality of small circles. It is thereforepossible to have many types of condition that are desired to be changedby a rotation operation. Also, by setting a step amount for a parameterthat is to be changed depending on the radius of the circle, switchingof change amounts, such as when a large change is desired or when a finechange is desired, can be selected easily.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be describedusing FIG. 17 to FIG. 21. In the third embodiment, description was givenof an example where change instruction for a parameter is carried out byperforming a rotation operation on the screen 50 using fingers of bothhands. However, with a camera having interchangeable lenses, there arecases where it is difficult to operate using fingers of both hands, suchas is described in the following.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing appearance of holding a camera withinterchangeable lenses. FIG. 17A shows a state where an EVF (Electronicview finder) 130 is not provided on the camera body 110, and FIG. 17Bshows a state where an EVF 130 is provided on an upper part of thecamera body 130. The EVF 130 is used by the photographer bringing itclose to their eye and peering through it, and is a view-through typesecond display device. In either state, regarding photographing stylesemployed using this camera with interchangeable lenses, there are manystyles where the camera is firmly and securely held with both hands, andwith this type of style, operations such as a rotation operation withboth hands are unsuitable. In particular, with a camera having an EVF130, such as shown in FIG. 17B, by holding it with the eye close to theEVF 130 the range of the touch panel that can be operated is restricted,which makes operations such as those shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B moredifficult to handle. Therefore, the fifth embodiment shows a touchoperation that can be performed without difficulty regardless of thephotographing style of the camera having an interchangeable lens.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the structure of an interchangeablelens type digital camera of the fifth embodiment. With the structure ofthe fifth embodiment, the digital camera comprises a camera body 110 aninterchangeable lens 120 and an EVF 130. The camera body 110 is only onepart that is different from the block diagram of the first embodimentshown in FIG. 1, and so for the purposes of simplicity only somecomponents that are different, and their related components, are shownin the drawing. Various types of interchangeable lens also exist, but inthe following description will be given with two illustrative examples,a type where focus and aperture can be automatically adjusted from thecamera body 110, and a type where focal length (electronic zoom) andfocus can be automatically adjusted from the camera body 110.

A control section 111 performs overall control of the camera body 110,and of the interchangeable lens 120 and EVF 130 connected to the camerabody 110. Although not shown in the drawing, the control section 111includes a touch detection section 11 a, change condition settingsection 11 b, operation image display section 11 c, parameter changesection 11 d and parameter control section 11 e, the same as FIG. 1.

An image processing section 112 includes an image sensor and aprocessing circuit for the image sensor, and put simply is the imagingsection 20 of FIG. 1 with the photographing lens and actuator sectionremoved. The touch panel section 113 and the display control section 115are the same as those described with FIG. 1. A rear display section 113is the same as the display section 13 shown in FIG. 1, but it will bedescribed with a different name in order to differentiate it from thedisplay section of the EVF 130. A body communication section A 116supplies power for lens driving to the interchangeable lens 120, andalso transmits and receives lens control information to and from theinterchangeable lens 120, and acquires various information of a fittedinterchangeable lens. The various information of the interchangeablelens is attribute information of the lens, such as F number, whether ornot it is a zoom lens, aperture radius, focal length etc. A bodycommunication section B 117 supplies power to the EVF and transmitsimage data etc. The control section 111 controls these components.

An interchangeable lens 120 is selected by the photographer consideringvarious different conditions such as brightness, focal length etc., andattached to the camera body 110. The interchangeable lens 120 ismechanically connected to the front of the camera body 110 by means of amount.

A lens communication section 121, lens 122, actuator 123 etc. areprovided in the interchangeable lens 120. The lens communication section121 is connected to the above described body communication section A 116to receive power from the camera body 110, and performs transmission andreception of lens control information with the camera body 110.

The lens 122 guides subject light to the image processing section 112.The lens 122 is made up of a plurality of lens elements, and specifiedlens elements are configured capable of movement for focus adjustment,and with a zoom type lens there is also a structure such that specifiedlens elements change the focal length (zoom adjustment). An aperture foradjusting light amount is also provided inside the lens.

The actuator 123 performs focus adjustment and change of focal lengthetc. by driving the lens 122 based on control information sent from thecamera body 110 via the lens communication section 121, or sets theaperture radius to a specified value by driving the aperture.

The EVF 130 is attached to the center of an upper part of the camerabody 110 in a detachable manner, as shown in FIG. 17B. An EVFcommunication section 131 and an EVF display section 132 are provided inthe EVF 130. The EVF communication section 131 is connected to the bodycommunication section B 117 and is input with a power supply and imagedata. The EVF display section 132 is formed, for example, from a smallLCD or organic EL, and displays an image in accordance with input imagedata.

The control section 111 performs different operational control for thetouch panel according to whether or not the EVF 130 is used and the typeof interchangeable lens that has been attached. First, the controlsection ill makes the rear display section 114 the destination fordisplay of images etc, if the EVF 130 is not attached. On the otherhand, in a state where the EVF is used in shooting mode, the displaydestination for images etc. is switched from the rear display section114 to the EVF display section 132. The control section 111 then stopsdisplay to the rear display section 114, but the touch panel 113 stilloperates to allow touch instructions. The display to the rear displaysection 114 is stopped in order to conserve power.

In a state where the EVF 130 is used, there are cases where notificationthat the EVF 130 is connected to the camera body 110 is detected fromthe body communication section B 117, and cases such as where the EVFdisplay section 132 is selected as the display destination using a menuscreen, not shown in the drawings, after the EVF 130 is fitted. Thereare also cases where, with a camera having an EVF 130 fixed to thecamera body, the EVF display section 132 is selected as the displaydestination using the menu screen.

Also, the control section 111 procures type information of theinterchangeable lens via the body communication section A 116, and setsparameter types in response to a touch operation in accordance with thetype of the interchangeable lens.

Next, screen content displayed in response to touch input will bedescribed using FIG. 19 and FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D. FIG. 19 is a live viewscreen overlaid with operation guide images, and is a screen displayedon the rear display section 114. This state is a state where the EVF 130is not used. For example, there are situations where the EVF 130 is notattached to the camera body 110. If a finger 90 placed at the right sideof the screen 50 is detected rotating in the direction of either arrow,operation guide images are displayed superimposed on the live viewimage, as shown in FIG. 19, by the operation guide image display section11 c inside the control section 111.

The operation image display section 11 c displays two rings, for examplethe outer ring 63 a and the inner ring 63 b, as operation guide images.The change condition setting section 11 b sets, for example focusadjustment as a change parameter for the outer ring 63 a, and apertureadjustment as a change parameter for the inner ring 63 b, in accordancewith the interchangeable lens type.

Then, the parameter change section 11 d changes the focus position inthe close range direction if a clockwise rotation is detected on theouter ring, and conversely changes the focus position in the long-rangedirection if a counter clockwise rotation is detected. Also, aperture ischanged in the wide-open direction if a clockwise rotation is detectedat the inner ring, while the aperture is changed in a stopping downdirection if a counter clockwise rotation is detected. It is alsopossible to arbitrarily select which of focus adjustment or apertureadjustment is set as the outer or inner ring, or to select whichrotational direction is set as an increase or decrease of a parameter.

With the third embodiment, control was carried out such that in the caseof an operation with both fingers two rings were displayed, but here, inthe case where there is a rotation using one (the right) finger also, bydisplaying operation guide images of two rings a touch operation can beperformed without difficulty even by someone holding a camera with aninterchangeable lens.

Next, FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D are screens on the EVF display section 132.If the EVF 130 is attached to the camera body 110, it is a state wherethe EVF 130 is used. FIG. 20A is a screen 50 of the rear display section114 with live view display not being displayed. This is for powerconservation. Here, an outer region 140 a and an inner region 140 bshown by dotted lines in FIG. 20A are set to effective detection ranges.The dotted lines of the outer region 140 a and the inner region 140 bare shown for the description, but are not actually displayed. FIG. 20Bis a screen of the EVF display section 132, with a live view imagedisplayed.

If a finger 90 performs a rotation operation on the outer region 140 asuch as shown in FIG. 20B, the fact that there is a rotation at theouter region is detected by the touch detection section 11 a. Then, asshown in FIG. 20B, the outer ring 141 a is displayed on the screen ofthe EVF display section 132 as an operation guide image by the operationimage display section 11 c. Here, the displayed outer ring 141 a is anoperation guide image for focus adjustment. About one loop of the outerring 141 a is assigned to a focus range from the closest, which is 0.1m, to infinity (∞). “0.1, 1, 2, 5, ∞” are displayed along the outer ring141 a by the operation image display section 11 c.

Also, a cursor 143 shows a value of the current focus position, andmoves on the outer ring 141 a in accordance with rotation. Also, at thetime of EVF display only the outer ring 141 a corresponding to theoperation is displayed on the EVF display section 132, and the innerring 141 b is not displayed. This is in order to give priority tosubject confirmation and avoid hindering confirmation of the live viewimage.

Next, if there is an operation to rotate a finger 90 degrees in theinner region 140 b, as shown in FIG. 20C, a rotation operation at theinner region is detected by the touch detection section 11 a. Then, theinner ring 141 b is displayed on the EVF display section 132 as anoperation guide image by the operation image display section 11 c, asshown in FIG. 20D. The inner ring 141 b displayed here is an operationguide image for aperture adjustment. About ¾ of the way round the innerring 141 b is displayed representing from wide open of F3.5 to F8.Numerical values of “3.5, 4, 5.6, 8” are displayed along the inner ring141 b as aperture values by the operation image display section 11 c.

Also, the cursor 143 is for showing the current aperture value, and soit moves on the inner ring 141 b in response to rotation. For the samereason as with FIG. 20B, only the inner ring 141 b corresponding to theoperation is displayed on the EVF display section 132.

Also, as will be understood from a comparison of FIG. 19 with FIG. 20Band FIG. 20D, the ring width for the EVF display is displayed thinly,and this is in order to further prevent hindrance to subjectconfirmation in the case of display on the EVF 130.

Camera operation in the fifth embodiment will be described, but thebasic operation is substantially the same as the flowchart of the firstembodiment shown in FIG. 6, and so description will center on points ofdifference using FIG. 6. From step S11 to S13 is the same. Then, in stepS21 of the first embodiment a live view image was displayed on thedisplay section 16, but with this embodiment, in step S21 the controlsection 111 determines if the EVF 130 is in use, and selects which ofthe display devices to display the live view image on. If the controlsection 111 determines that the EVF 130 is in use, an image is displayedon the EVF display section 132, and display to the rear display section114 is suspended. Conversely, if it is determined that the EVF 130 isnot being used display is carried out to the rear display section 114.

Similarly, in the case of image playback in step S16 also, if it isdetermined that the EVF 130 is in use the control section 111 displaysan image on the EVF display section 132 in step S21, and suspendsdisplay to the rear display section 114. Continuing on from selection ofa display destination in accordance with whether or not there is an EVF130 in step S21, processing advances to the change condition settingsubroutine (step S22).

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for describing change condition settingprocessing of the fifth embodiment. First, it is once again determinedwhether the EVF 130 that was detected in step S21 described above isbeing used (S121). If it is determined by the control section 111 thatthe EVF 130 is in use (YES at S121) the change condition setting section11 b sets the touch panel operation to EVF mode (S122). EVF mode is amode for displaying an operation or image as was described with FIG. 20Ato FIG. 20D. The control section 111 sets corresponding parameter typeand ring inner or outer position in accordance with a fittedinterchangeable lens. This will be described in detail later.

Next, it is determined if a touch operation was a rotation operation atthe right side of the screen 50 (S123). This is in order to limit tooperations appropriate to a camera with interchangeable lens. In theevent that a touch operation was not a rotation operation at the rightside of the screen 50 NO in step S123), it is interpreted to mean thatan operation is invalid and this subroutine is exited. Seeing operationsother than designated operations as invalid is in order to preventerroneous operation. With this embodiment, touch operation is carriedout using only one hand, which means that it is also possible todetermine a touch operation at two places (both hands) to be invalid.

If a touch operation is determined to be a rotation operation at theright side of the screen 50 (YES in S123), it is next determined whetherthe interchangeable lens 120 supports electronic zoom (S124). If it doesnot support electronic zoom (NO at S124), then with this embodiment,since interchangeable lenses are limited to two types it is determinedthat the fitted interchangeable lens is “a type capable of adjustingfocus and aperture from the camera body”.

If the result of determination in step S124 is that the lens does notsupport electronic zoom, it is first determined whether the position ofan operation is outer circumference (S125). If the operation position isouter circumference (YES at S125), focus is set in the change conditionby the change condition setting section 11 b (S126). Accordingly, theouter ring 141 a is displayed on the outer circumference of the EVFdisplay section 132 by the operation image display section 11 c (S127).This screen is shown in FIG. 20B.

On the other hand, if the position of the operation is not outercircumference (NO in S125), that is, the operation is at the innercircumference, aperture is set in the change condition by the changecondition setting section 11 b (S128). Accordingly, the inner ring 141 bis displayed at the inner circumference of the EVF display section 132by the operation image display section 11 c (S129). This screen is shownin FIG. 20D.

After displaying the ring on the EVF display section 132 (S127 or S129),a rotation amount and direction of the touch operation are detected, andthe cursor 143 is moved on the displayed ring in accordance with therotation amount and direction of the touch operation (S135). At the sametime, the parameter change section 11 d increases or reduces parametersin accordance with the rotation amount and direction (S136), and theparameter control section 11 e sends instructions via the bodycommunication section A 116 to the interchangeable lens 120 so as tospecifically change the focus adjustment value or aperture value. At theinterchangeable lens 120, those instructions are input via the lenscommunication section 121, and in response to the instructions theactuator 123 either moves the focus lens to a specified position in thecase of focus adjustment, or changes the aperture to the instructedvalue in the case of aperture adjustment.

Returning to step S124, if the result of determination is that thefitted interchangeable lens supports electronic zoom (YES in S124), thenof the two types this is a case of the interchangeable lens being thetype where zoom (focal length) and focus can be adjusted from the camerabody. This case is similar to the case of step S125, and it isdetermined if the operation position is the outer circumference (S130).If the result of this determination is that the operation position is atthe outer circumference (YES at S130), zoom is set in the changecondition by the change condition setting section 11 b (S131).Accordingly, the outer ring 141 a corresponding to zoom is displayed atthe outer circumference of the EVF display section 132 by the operationimage display section 11 c (step S132).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S130 is thatthe operation position is not the outer circumference (NO at S130),namely that the operation position is the inner circumference, focusadjustment is set in the condition change by the change conditionsetting section 11 b (S133). Accordingly, the inner ring for focusadjustment is displayed on the EVF display section 132 by the operationimage display section 11 c (S134).

Once display of the inner or outer ring has been carried out in stepS132, or S134, the cursor is moved on the screen in accordance withrotation amount and direction of the operation (step S135). At the sametime, the parameter change section 11 d increases or reduces parametersin accordance with the rotation amount and direction (S136), and theparameter control section 11 e sends instructions via the bodycommunication section A 116 to the interchangeable lens 120 so as tospecifically change the focus adjustment value or zoom value (focallength). At the interchangeable lens 120, those instructions are inputvia the lens communication section 121, and in response to theinstructions the actuator 123 either moves the focus lens to a specifiedposition in the case of focus adjustment, or moves the zoom lens to aspecified position in the case of zoom adjustment.

Returning to step S121, if the result of determination is that the EVF130 is not in use (NO at S121), the change condition setting section 11b sets the touch panel operation to rear display section mode (S140).Rear display section mode is a mode for displaying an operation or ascreen as described with FIG. 19. The control section 111 setscorresponding parameter type and inner or outer position of the ringaccording to the fitted interchangeable lens. This will be described indetail later.

Next, similarly to step S122, it is determined whether a touch operationis a rotation operation at the right side of the screen 50 (S141). Thisis in order to limit to operations appropriate to a camera withinterchangeable lens. In the event that a touch operation was not arotation operation at the right side of the screen 50 (NO in step S141),it is interpreted to mean that the operation is invalid and thissubroutine is exited. Similarly to the description for step S123, it isalso possible to determine a touch operation at two places (both hands)to be invalid.

If it is determined that the touch operation is a rotation operation atthe right side of the screen 50 (YES at S141), change condition is setaccording to whether or not the fitted interchangeable lens 120 supportselectronic zoom and whether the operation is at the outer circumference(S143). As this is the same as steps S124 to S134, details will beomitted. Obviously, compared to the state where the EVF 130 is in use,it is possible to change so that parameters allocated to innercircumference and outer circumference are reversed. After conditionchange setting in step S143, processing advances to the above describedstep S135. After the processing of the above described steps S135 andS136 has been carried out and this sub-routine terminated, processingadvances to step S23 in FIG. 6.

Steps S23 to S25 in FIG. 6 are the same as the description for the firstembodiment, and so description will be omitted. Since steps S14 to S18are also the same, description will be omitted.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment it is possible tocarry out a panel operation with good usability even by a person holdinga camera with interchangeable lens. Also, in the state where the EVF 130is in use rings are displayed on the EVF display section. Depending onwhether the display destination is the rear display section of the EVF,display appearance, such as the number of rings displayed and the ringwidth etc. can be changed, which means that it is possible to carry outdisplay that is easy to see depending on the type of display section.

Further, in the case where the EVF is fitted, the parameter changeamount for a given operation amount is made larger compared to the casewhere the EVF is not fitted. For example, with a camera provided withthe EVF on a rear display section, in a photographing posture lookingthrough the EVF, the space where it is possible to carry out anoperation on the touch panel is limited to the left and right ends, andthe rotation range for a singe operation becomes narrow. By making theoperation sensitivity large, usability is prevented from deterioratingeven when the EVF is attached.

Also, parameter type is automatically selected according to the type ofinterchangeable lens, which means that the time and effort of thephotographer manually selecting the parameter type for eachinterchangeable lens is also done away with.

In the case where the fitted interchangeable lens is a type thatsupports electronic zoom, then in addition to the optical zoom using theinterchangeable lens 120 it is also possible to carry out processing soas to add in electronic zoom using the image processing section 21. Inthis case, a zoom parameter instructed by an outer circumferencerotation is processed by being divided into optical zoom and electroniczoom. Normally, optical zoom would be given priority, and after reachingthe maximum magnification with the optical zoom electronic zoom isadditionally performed.

Also, in the state where the EVF is in use, compared to the state wherethe EVF is not in use, which will be described later, it is possible toset the parameter change amount large per unit change in rotationoperation amount. This is because in the state where the EVF is in use,it becomes impossible to turn through a large angle (for example 180degrees) in one go. For example, with focus adjustment, as an operationto change a parameter from 0.1, to infinity (∞), when the EVF is used a90 degree rotation is set, and when the EVF is not used a 180 degreerotation is set. Also, for example, one step of aperture adjustment isset to a 90 degree rotation when the EVF is used, and a 180 degreerotation when the EVF is not used.

It is also possible to make switching between types of parameter andbetween inner and outer circumference settable via menu screens. In stepS123 and S141, determination has been made as to whether or not there isa rotation operation at the right side of the screen, assuming aphotographer to be right handed, but this is not limiting, and it isalso possible to determine whether or not a rotation operation has beenperformed at the left side so as to be able to support left handedphotographers.

As described above, with each of the embodiments of the presentinvention it is possible to change the type of parameter to be changedaccording to the manner of an input operation to a touch panel. It istherefore possible to easily input various types of parameters with anorganized screen. Also, with each embodiment, operation guide images aredisplayed according to parameters that are changed. It is thereforepossible for a user to easily perform input in accordance with theguidance operation images.

Display control processing for the index screen described above iscarried out by the control section 11 reading out and executing aprogram for operation control that is contained in the program/datastorage section 12, and so the storage medium storing a control programrelating to this type of software process is also an object of thepresent invention. A storage medium holding this program is not limitedto a flash memory, and can be an optical storage medium such as CD-ROMor DVD-ROM, a magnetic storage medium such as MD, or tape medium, ICcard or semiconductor memory such as USB memory.

Also, with each of the embodiments of the present invention, executionof processing has been described as a combination of software processingand hardware processing, but this is not limiting and the combination isa matter of choice.

Also, with each of the embodiments a digital camera has been describedas a device for taking pictures, but as a camera it is possible to havea digital single lens reflex camera, a compact digital camera, or amovie camera. A portable device is not limited to a camera, and it isalso possible to apply the invention to a mobile telephone, a moviecamera, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), portable game unit, or musicplayer etc.

The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments,and structural elements may be modified in actual implementation withinthe scope of the gist of the embodiments. It is also possible formvarious inventions by suitably combining the plurality structuralelements disclosed in the above described embodiments. For example, itis possible to omit some of the structural elements shown in theembodiments. It is also possible to suitably combine structural elementsfrom different embodiments.

1. A condition change unit for changing operating conditions of adevice, comprising: a display section for displaying images; a touchpanel provided on the display section; a detection section for detectinginput operations to the touch panel; a change condition setting sectionfor setting types of change conditions, based on a mode of the inputoperations detected by the detection section; an operation guide imagedisplay section for displaying guidance images, for setting specificparameters of the change conditions, on the display section, inaccordance with the type of change condition that has been set; and aparameter change section for changing parameters of the change conditionbased on an input operation to a screen on which the operation guidanceoperation images are displayed that has been detected by the detectionsection.
 2. The condition change unit of claim 1, wherein as a mode ofthe input operation, the change condition setting section sets the typeof change condition in accordance with whether simultaneous inputs tothe touch panel at one place or a number of places.
 3. The conditionchange unit of claim 1, wherein as a mode of the input operation, thechange condition setting section changes and sets the type of changecondition in accordance with differences between operations using afinger of one hand and simultaneous inputs using fingers of both hands,to the touch panel, and the operation guide image display sectiondisplays the operation guide images on the screen at a side operated bya finger in the case of operation using a finger of one hand, anddisplays the operation guide images on both sides of the screen in thecase of an operation using fingers of both hands.
 4. The conditionchange unit of claim 1, wherein as a mode of the input operation, thechange condition setting section changes and sets the type of changecondition when there is simultaneous operations using fingers of bothhands to the touch screen, and also depending on whether a rotationoperation using the fingers of both hands has started, and the operationguide image display section displays circular type objects on the screenwhen a rotation operation using fingers of both hands has started. 5.The condition change unit of claim 1, wherein when the mode of the inputoperation includes a rotation operation, the change condition settingsection switches and changes the change condition in accordance withmagnitude of a radius of the rotation operation, and the operation imageguidance section displays two circular type objects so as to indicatethe radius of the rotation operation, as the operation guide images. 6.The condition change unit of claim 1, wherein when the mode of the inputoperation includes a rotation operation, the change condition settingsection changes and sets the type of the change condition in accordancewith a center position of the rotation operation on the screen, and theoperation guide image display section displays the operation guideimages in accordance with position of a finger performing the rotationoperation.
 7. The condition change unit of claim 6, wherein theparameter change section changes a parameter using the rotationoperation, and switches an amount of a parameter to be changed inaccordance with radius of a circle traced by the rotation operation onthe screen.
 8. A camera in which the change condition unit of claim 1 isinstalled, wherein the touch panel is provided on a rear surface of ahousing of the camera; the change condition change section sets shootingconditions as the change conditions; and the operation guide imagedisplay section displays the operation guide images overlaid on a liveview image.
 9. A camera in which the condition change unit of claim 1 isinstalled, comprising: a view-through type second display section fordisplaying images; and a control section for selecting whether todisplay on the display section, or to display on the second displaysection; wherein the operation image display section has a differentdisplay format for a case where the operation guide images are displayedon the display section, and a case where the operation guide images aredisplayed on the second display section.
 10. A camera of claim 9,comprising a camera body having the display section fixedly provided ona rear surface, and having the second display section removably attachedthereto.
 11. A camera in which the condition change unit of claim 1 isinstalled, wherein a second view through type display section fordisplaying images is provided, the operation guide image display sectiondisplays the operation guide images on either the display section or thesecond display section, and the parameter change section switches achange amount for a parameter in accordance with amount of an inputoperation, in response to a display destination for the operation guideimages being the display section or the second display section.
 12. Acamera of claim 11, wherein the display section is fixedly provided on arear surface, and the second display section is removably attached to acamera body.
 13. A camera of claim 11, comprising: a camera body towhich an interchangeable lens selected from a plurality of preparedlenses is connected; and a control section for setting a type ofparameter to be changed according to a type of the interchangeable lensconnected to the camera body.
 14. The condition change unit of claim 1,wherein the condition change unit is fitted in a portable device.